Chapter 8: You Are Still My Special Person

The meeting with the Hokage was an emotional affair, full of tears and smiles. It was also an enlightening moment, for all the malevolent plans of Hiruzen, Jiraya, and the Counsel had come to light.

Although nothing could be done about Hiruzen due to his earlier demise, and Jiraya was still "collecting information" for the village, the Counsel was about to bare the full brunt of Naruto's wrath. Fortunately, there were many a detailed record of past Counsel meetings, complete with the results of clan votes. The pair had to take many a calming breath as they realized just how pervasive the bribery and corruption had been, especially in the Civilian portion.

Hiruzen had illegally authorized the use of Naruto's inheritance left by his father to bolster the finances of the clans and merchant families who supported him. The clans who did not had been pushed to the outskirts of the village, namely the Nara, Akimichi, Uchiha, and Aburame clans. While the clan heads of the Hyuuga and Inuzuka officially opposed, they had been overruled by their clan counsels.

The pair decided to take a moment to consider the current evidence before digging deeper. As Naruto walked towards his old apartment, the warm evening breeze caressing him, he felt a familiar presence trailing him.

Once he entered his now temporary home, he called out.

"Come out, Kakashi."

The named ninja appeared on the teen's windowsill, his visible eye glistening with regret. He slowly padded towards the 14-year-old, his arms reaching out before tucking him into a strong, yet tender embrace, his frame trembling as he spoke.

"Forgive me, Naruto. I've failed you."

Naruto's already tethered emotions began to break as he clutched to the man he had respected and viewed as a haven.

"Why… Why did you abandon me?"

"It wasn't my choice. I was tricked into believing that you would be taken care of by that traitor." Kakashi responded, his ki flaring in anger at his own stupidity. All this time, he had preached about looking underneath the underneath and here he failed to take his own advice. If he thought the deaths of Obito and Rin weighed on him, this last betrayal would haunt him into the grave.

Naruto could feel the self-loathing rolling off his haven. He knew how the man before him processed grief and anger. He had already lost his fathers. He could not lose anyone else.

"Don't leave me. Just don't leave me, Kakashi. Not again." Naruto whispered into Kakashi's heart, his eyes leaving a pool that soaked the jonin's breast pocket.

Kakashi stiffened before tightening his hold. He knew what was being asked of him. This was not just Naruto asking Kakashi to stay. He was begging him to face his fears instead of running. Could he make that promise?

Kakashi took Naruto's face in his hands, softly caressing his cheeks with the roughened pads of his thumbs.

"I won't run. Not this time."

Fresh tears threatened to fall from cerulean eyes as the full weight of the words settled around them. Kakashi continued.

"You are the most precious person I have left. I almost lost you this time. Not again."

Kakashi felt a light pressure just shy of his mouth that caused his heart to swell.

From his youth, Naruto had always been a very affectionate person. If he held you as precious, the best way he knew to express it was by touch. Words could be faked. But touch was different.

Kakashi knew that there was nothing sexual in this or any other kiss he would inevitably get in the future. He pressed his own masked lips on a whiskered cheek.

"Stay. Just for the night."

Kakashi smiled, lacing his hands with Naruto's.

"Always."

Before long, emotional exhaustion left Naruto adrift in the seas of slumber, his head resting on a lightly silver-haired chest. Kakashi's boxer clad frame kept a protective hold around his waist, his chin resting gently on golden locks.

Morning came early as Kakashi began to stir, the delicious smells of bacon wafting into the room. After finding his mask on the newly cleaned bedside table, he padded out of the single bedroom and into the kitchen.

"Morning. Breakfast is almost ready." Came a calm and cheerful voice that bathed the room in sunlight.

Kakashi took in the scene before him, a smile blooming underneath his mask. When he was still an ANBU, he would make a point to visit the then 10-year-old Naruto once he returned from a mission as a surprise and to make sure the young boy was still alive. As a thank you, he would receive a free breakfast.

Fortunately, Naruto had learned how to cook very quickly and at a young age, especially when it became too dangerous to venture outside. Kakashi looked forward to the all-out feasts the preteen would make for him. He found that he would feel almost brand new once he had eaten his gifted meal.

As the memories grazed his mind, Kakashi could not help noticing the physical differences in his sibling. While not quite as well nourished as desired, there was a newly forming layer of necessary fat and muscle.

"Stop staring if you want these pancakes, Kashi. Go get ready." Came the quiet and amused command, causing Kakashi to chuckle.

"What? I can't admire my brother's progress?"

"You know, in some places, that's considered incest, ya perv! Now go wash up."

Kakashi let out a full belly laugh as he left the kitchen, thinking to himself.

"Just like Minato. A sharp-witted genius."